Bethlehem & Phuthaditjhaba

                                                      Bethlehem Branch

On Aaron's birthday we were in the town of Bethlehem! :)  It was rather exciting to go to a town of that name a few days after Christmas.  :)  We were there to do an audit and to train a member of the mission presidency.

The 3 Wise Men of Bethlehem Branch
President Mosia, Br. Motshweneng & Br. Manchu

Elder & Sister Clayton came with us to learn the procedures.  They are new auditors in our office and French speaking!  We are happy for that because they will care for our French speaking countries & we can stop taking French lessons. :)

Happy Birthday Aaron! :)  We got to call & sing Happy Birthday to Aaron from Bethlehem!

Chris is amazing!  Whenever we have an assignment, he finds such fun places to see along the way.  Such was the case on our way to Bethlehem.  We stopped for lunch in a little town called Clarens.  We were surprised to discover that it is not unlike a little tourist town you might find in the US with little shops and a park where there were some young girls doing a native dance.  (It was pretty much just jumping up and down making their skirt flip up in back)

Many African females have shaved heads.
We don't see many Dukus (head wraps) this time of year because of heat.

                                                           Phuthaditjhaba Branch

On December 31st we drove to Phuthaditjhaba to meet with President Thusi.  Phutha once employed many African people in factories but after 1994 and the end of apartheid, the factories closed down and the people really struggle now.  President Thusi is a great branch president who walks over 2 hours to get to church.

The Andersons (preparing yummy lunch for the missionaries zone conference)
and Claytons outside the branch which was formerly a grocery store.

Johannesburg Temple Nativity

A creche replaced the fountain for Christmas 

On Christmas we all brought a dish and enjoyed a Christmas meal together.  It really doesn't feel like Christmas here because it is summer.  I'm quite glad actually because then I don't feel homesick.

Today we video chatted with the kids including Andrea!  It is such a great technology we have today to see each other as we visit.  Andrea is doing great and she says it doesn't feel like Christmas in Brazil either.

It is nice to have a simple Christmas!  It allows our thoughts to be more focused on the true meaning and remember that over 2,000 years ago, some shepherds were tending their flocks when an angel appeared to them, announcing the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.  These good shepherds hearkened to the voice of the angels by walking to Bethlehem to see the Christ Child & there they found Him.  Also at that time, there were wisemen.  They must have been studying their scriptures & watching for the signs of the Saviors birth because when they saw the star in the East, they knew it was a sign that He had been born.  They followed the star to Bethlehem and brought gifts to the Christ Child.

All these many years later, we still celebrate this occasion by remembering the sign of the star, the voice of the angels and the shepherd and the wisemen who came unto the Christ Child and the gifts that they brought.

I hope to be as the wisemen & shepherds, listening & watching & walking toward the Savior so that through His atonement, we may live with Him again.

Christmas

Do you suppose that Grandma Picket would have ever thought that her poem, "In Bethlehem", would be recited by an African Saint, Brother Paul Mokolobate for the Africa Southeast Area Christmas devotional on December 13, 2013 in Johannesburg South Africa?  Elder Hamilton of the Seventy presided at the meeting.  All were inspired by the music, poem, readings, and message as we remembered the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Several asked for a copy of Grandma's wonderful poem.  Chris sang in the choir and Debbie played a flute solo of Silent Night.  Several afterward said they saw even men weep as they were touched by the music.   (The program used was one Debbie created a few years ago. )

                        In Bethlehem
                                              By Ethel Pickett

Long, long ago in Bethlehem, as prophets of old had said
God caused a star to shine over a manger bed.

Shepherds were watching their flocks in many fields near by
And Oh!  How frightened they were to see such a star in the sky.

Wise-men from the east were guided by its rays
with frankincense and myrrh they laid, where the infant lay.

Angels with gladness bringing, descended to the earth
To proclaim a wondrous message of the Savior's birth.

O glory to God in the Highest, the heavenly hosts did sing,
For in a lowly manger bed the Jews had born a King.

And now a Savior to us all was sent by God above.
A Christmas gift to all the world to show how great His love.

And now we all from day to day of choicest blessings win
Because of Him who came to earth and died because of sin.

African Congo

Wednesday we flew to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  What an experience.
We went out to train our 5 Assistant Area Auditors (AAA's) and what wonderful men they are!
Here are some pictures I took from the car window:

We arrived a day early because there were no flights on Thursdays.  That extra day allowed us to hire a driver and we went to see the Bonobos.  Bonobos are endangered cousins of chimpanzees and this is the only place in the world where they live.  As I was aiming the camera at one, it shrieked at us, picked up a handful of dirt and threw it at us square on!  We got a dirt shower. 

The jungle where they live is a preserve and there is an electrified fence between them and us.  We finished off the loop enjoying the beautiful jungle and I was glad I didn't know about the deadly snakes (on ground & in trees) to watch out for until it was all over!

These darling school children were on a field trip. :)

Click to enlarge and see the pineapples growing along the side of the trail.

Beautiful tall flowers growing in the jungle

Our conference dinner was on Friday.  Elder Mabaya of the 70 spoke to us (in French) and we had a translator. He told us that this church is not just an organization but it is the Kingdom of God.  The devil is working hard so if we don't work harder, we will fail.

 Saturday was our conference.  The training went well thanks to Google translate helping us put our power point in French and thanks to Br. Kusambidila translating for us.  We were so thrilled to meet our 5 French speaking AAA's.  They are knowledgeable and humble and anxiously engaged in good works.  Each of them taught a section, Chris instructed us on what's going to be coming up new this year and  I spoke on the "Sacred Trust".  

Standing:  Clement Kavuala, Nestor Ilunga, David Bowman,
Dede Kusambidila, Danatien Makabu, Safari Alexis, Blaise Ngangou
Front: Chris & Debbie

After the conference, Br. Bowman, area controller, took us to his friends place for a lovely dinner.  I wish I had my camera to take a picture of the Grana family. They have two darling girls that taught us how to play "Black Magic" and we enjoyed their company very much.

On Sunday President Muhemedy (In the stake presidency) took us to church.  We wound our way deep into a Congolese neighborhood.  The road was made of layers of mud and litter.  It was all very dirty but the people were so clean and wore beautiful clothing.

Hair salon

As we were waiting for the guard to open the security gate, 3 little African children stared into our car.  I smiled at them and waved.  They grinned and stared as though they had never seen a white visitor before. Same thing happened as Pres. Muhemedy showed me to the RS room.  I passed the youngest primary and the children looked surprised and ran to the door grinning with a look of wonder.  Ha ha!

In RS all the windows were open for fresh air and outside was singing.  I so wanted to get up and record it. It was really rather loud and you had to really listen to the RS teacher speak.  Of course, it was in French and I didn't understand it so I listened to the music.  There was a drum and a soloist and a chorus of harmony singing an African story in the Lingala language.  It went on and on nonstop through the whole class period.   A rooster chimed in now and then.  The teacher and others didn't seem to even notice.  It must be normal.  Perhaps it was a band of brethren in a worship service held outside - (as many do in Africa).  

In Sacrament meeting they confirmed 7 new members!  I loved seeing their baptismal clothing drying on a line outside the church.

The bishop asked us to bear our testimonies & Pres. Muhemedy translated.  (see Chris's description of sacrament meeting at the end of this post).   After church - such surprise!   I now know what it must feel like to be a famous celebrity!  First it was a darling little wide eyed bright smiling boy who ran to us and said "good morning!"  He seemed so thrilled to be able to say that to us.  In fact he followed us out and said it to us a half dozen times.  Everyone shook our hands and so many children came to us and also excitedly said "good morning!"  It seemed we shook every hand in the congregation!  Especially all the kids.  Even Mothers came carrying a child who was maybe a little shy but wanted to shake our hands and say "good morning."  ha ha.  We felt very loved.

Aren't they beautiful!

Several women in their beautiful Hawaiian looking style of dresses were gathered.  I told them they were very beautiful.  One understood me and told the others and they all smiled warmly and said "Merci!"  I asked if I could take their picture and they were excited about that.  At first it was just a few but other women saw them posing and ran to be in the picture.  It was so cute.  They laughed like kids as they viewed their little photo on the camera.

Pres. Muhemedy invited us to eat with him in his home after church.  What a sweet family and his wife and her friend and sister helped her cook an amazing meal.

Monday we had a bit of a wait at the airport because we made good time getting there.  Apparently they've made some great changes in the airport and except for some mice running around the floor it was just fine.

It is so great being involved in this great time of hastening - of helping to build up the Kingdom of God in preparation for the second coming of the Lord!  Everything we do, every calling is important and a part of this great latter day work.

View from hotel window

It's hard to get good photos while riding in the car but here are some more photos through the window.

This is a regular sedan style car, not a truck!  ha ha

Notice this is a medical center!

                           

CHRIS'S SACRAMENT MEETING MUSINGS

8 December 2013

Sacrament Meeting Musings (Bumbu Ward, Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Stake)

Bright faces with white teeth

Testimonies burning within the members’ hearts that is apparent to all

Hum of a microphone system; roosters crowing outside

Young Man with red belt, blue jeans, white shirt, black tie reverently passing the sacrament with his left arm folded neatly behind his back

8 large windows open on each side of the chapel as if they are expecting a breeze (orange drapes)

Ladies with heads wrapped in colorful scarves (lime green, black, blue, multi-colored African print)

Young girls with neat rows of braided hair

7 converts confirmed

Visiting white brethren suffering in suit coats; Bishopric in simple white shirts; Temperature is 84 degrees

The brother who is the organist is wearing a sequined tie

Sister Missionary about to complete her mission wears a black skirt, purple jersey shirt, and a purple woven scarf in her hair

8 ceiling fans are over the congregation; 6 of them are working.  There are no ceiling fans over the stand

Hand held microphone is being used because the podium mike doesn’t work

Sacrament bread is broken from fresh baguettes.  An 8 liter water jug sits under the sacrament table and it has seen much use

There is a fine layer of sand covering the tile floor

In the air is a strong smell of Kinshasa deodorant (human sweat)

Heavenly Father loves all of us, his children.  We are grateful to the Savior for His atonement and His love which encircles us.

 Reverence prevails. The congregation focuses on the message and the Spirit which is strong.  Faith is evident.  All are edified.

Hamba Kahle Madiba

                                   
Today South Africa mourns the death of a great man, Nelson Mandela.
Mandela was known at times as evil and at times as very good.  For 50 years the people peaceably stood up for equality and when that failed they had to fight.  They were fighting to be treated fairly.  They were treated as visitors in their own land, having to carry ID with them at all times.  He fought hard for what he believed and suffered long because of it.  He preached loving one another, forgiving one another, being tolerant of those who believe differently than you and then he practiced what he preached as he forgave those who afflicted him.

              We join with South Africa in our admiration and respect for Nelson Mandela.
                                               Hamba Kahle Madiba.

                                   Some of my favorite quotes from Nelson Mandela:

No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion.  People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, hey can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.

Money won't create success.  The freedom to make it will.

It always seems impossible until it is done.

I am fundamentally an optimist.  Whether that comes form nature or nurture, I cannot say.  Part of being optimistic is keeping one's head pointed toward the sun, one's feet moving forward.  There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair.  That way lays defeat and death.

For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.

I am not a saint, unless you think os a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.

As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison.

Children of Tembisa

Thanksgiving isn't celebrated here but we had a feast anyway...68 people feasted.  It went well - very smooth and nothing went wrong.  I made two of these cute veggie trays:

At the orphanage on Saturday we danced and sang with the children.  I taught them to dance Mele Kalikimaka and Chris played it on the uke.  They just loved it!  The kids just love to have their photo taken.  I showed them their pictures and they just laugh and squeal!  They LOVE to see their picture! 

I accidentally scrolled too far and they saw some food pictures from Thanksgiving.  I heard the little girl on my lap say "Mmmm food!"  Ah Ha!  They DO know some English words!  She suddenly became more interested in the food pictures than in the pictures of herself.  I stopped on the picture of rolls & didn't want to show her any others...  made me feel sad that they would drool over a tiny picture of food.  I asked her if she liked bread and she said yes.  I told her and mama that we would bring rolls next time we come.  We were all hugging and saying I love you.  I taught them how to make the I love you sign with their fingers.  As we left, they all ran to the fence and stuck their little hands through the bars and waved the I love you sign to us.  Wow...it's always hard to leave those little ones.  They are so loving and just love hugs.

We also went to our Tembisa Ward Christmas party Saturday.  The bishop called up the various organizations to sing or perform something.  We video taped some great African tribal singing and dancing!  It was amazing.  Bishop also called Chris & I up.  He had his ukulele so we got up and called all the kids and once again taught them to dance Mele Kalikimaka.

A brother told us a cool story in testimony meeting today.  He told of the time his testimony grew...it was once when they got to the church and the yard was full of dogs.  He couldn't believe it and wondered what in the world was going on.  The bishop reminded him that it had been New Years eve the day before and dogs get really scared of all the noise and firecrackers etc.  The bishop explained that all the dogs probably ran to the church because that is where they felt the most safe.